im a lil bit confused..
what does it mean by integrated Class A amp?
meaning DACport is DAC + AMP?
it doesn't need to pair with other amp?

after reading the reviews of this 'cigar', it's really tempting to get one..
but need to try it out first..
gona ask Jaben Pg whether they have this 'cigar'..

how does it sound?
and the price?

err.. sorry bro, i was referring to Porta Tube in my previous post..

anyways, thanks for the reply..

hi folks, im currently using GoVibe USB DAC..
how is the PCM2702 different from WM8740?
i mean, in sound quality..

hahaha.. yalor, ppl keep saying wolfson chip is so good but i would really wana know how is it different than the pcm chip.. >.<

i see, so the sound quality is all depend on implementation of the components, not solely on the chip itself..
even if they are using a superior chip, the SQ might be bad if the implementation is bad?
meaning we will have to try it only then we can know the SQ of the DACs..

---

Added on August 2, 2011, 10:56 ambut still, im kinda wondering about the range for both pcm and wm chips..
like which chip in PCM is on the same level with which chip in WM..

hmm.. im kinda interested to try the good cable as well..

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 2 2011, 10:56 AM

hongrui,
yah, please do so.. will greatly appreciate ur effort..

Cold|Drawn,
let me try to rephrase nordingh bro's words for u..

are u using MP3s or FLACs when u try the amp?
note that, low quality MP3s will not improve much eventhough u have amped ur rig..

i think u need to have a good source before getting an amp.. to do so, u would need a DAC to bypass ur PC's soundcard(if u are using ur PC as source).. coz most PCs' onboard soundcard is not really that good..

by having a good source, u can determine the SQ of an amp better.. people always say 'shit in shit our, gold in gold out.'

and then the headphone/earphone that u are using will also have effect on the SQ.. some headphones might improve alot thru amping while some might jz improve a bit..

yah, get the entry level of USBDAC..

as for starter, i guess u can get the T-muso USBDAC ( iirc the name) in the garage sale.. the cheapest USB DAC in town? XD

@nordingh
ive the Cube c30 too.. but rarely use it with my headphone coz my headphone is not meant for portable.. only pair it with the F1 and Hippo Groove, so cant really tell how good is the player..

@Agnaem
IMO, i feel that IEMs don't really need amping.. getting a DAC would be just fine for IEMs.. on the other hand, i think that headphone do need amp.. to push it capabilities/potential..

btw, im using GoVibe USB DAC which is PCM2702 inside..

bro, the sale thread for USB DAC PCM2704..


easy to drive means that the headphone can perform quite well without an amp.. pair it with amp is a plus thou..
those headphones that are hard to drive cant really perform well on their own.. they need amp to bring out their 'potential'..
from what i know, u need to crank up the volume knob for the headphones which are hard to drive..

i think the bass being punchy or crisp, bright treble is about the sound signature for headphones.. as different headphones will definitely have different sound signature.. some tends to sound brighter, some might have more bass..

so different headphones have different 'presentation' la.. or what ppl usually call it as sound signature..

i used to try AKG K701 and Beyer DT880 without amp..
for K701, the sound is still not loud enough eventhough i've already crank up the volume to the max..
as for DT880, yah, it sounded very weird, though i cant really explain its weirdness..

i guess these two headphones are considered hard to drive, rite?

---

Added on August 6, 2011, 12:36 am
i guess the T-Muso USB DAC will be the best choice.. there's no other USB DAC that cheap aite..

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 6 2011, 12:36 AM

just read the review provided by Windcent.. it's a good read and thanks..
based on the review, the DAC appears to be very promising.. and the reviewer really writes up a good and very detail review..

is it on par with nuforce icon?

after all this talk on tubes, i feel like changing the tube for my cheap cheap hybrid amp dy..

preferable warmer sound signature, any suggestion?

---

Added on August 8, 2011, 9:19 pmbtw, ive no idea how to differentiate the types of tubes.. can just guess it by the look/size of it..

im currently using GoVibe USBDAC and Indeed MK2 Class A Tube amp..

LOL.. im afraid those tubes might be too HOT for me to handle..

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 8 2011, 09:19 PM

haha, speaking of 'hotness'.. my amp easier kena la, as everything is exposed.. already kena few times dy when wana switch it off.. >.<

---

Added on August 8, 2011, 10:06 pmthis one ka?
http://tubedepot.com/nos-6dj8-jan.html

pure DAC or combo?

if pure DAC can only recommend GoVibe USBDAC in that price range..
if combo, E7 maybe?

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 8 2011, 10:06 PM

Prior to my understanding and reading on headphone amps, I hardly encounter/read up any standalone headphone amp to be having bright signature. (Maybe that's why no one replies to ur question.) Usually it's the DAC alone or DAC+amp combo that being described as having bright signature. AFAIK, the function of amp is to bring out more details in SQ and add in coloration.

So perhaps u should be looking for DAC solution.

Usually people will choose the headphones/earphones/IEM with the sound signature suit them, because no matter how u pair it with amp the original sound signature still remain there. Well, maybe it changes a bit though.

One more thing, bright sound signature is like reducing the low and take away the bass, then enhance on the clarity/details and mid/high. Which means it's also sort of a transparent signature, right? So if the SQ comes from DAC is not transparent/detail enough, how is the amp going to make the SQ clear, transparent, very details then?

After I've done some reading on this subject, I personally think that DAC is way more important than amplifier.
Well, just my humble opinion.

There's AUX OUT/IN which u can connect to ur speaker, meaning u will just be using the DAC and bypass the AMP in D2+.
Unless u wana do double amping, u can connect it to the PHONE out.

PS: I never tried D2+ so can't comment on the performance.

Eh? What do u mean cannot bypass the internal amp section? No sound at all when u connect speaker to AUX IN/OUT?
It's stated in their website that it can work as DAC standalone.

Ah I see I see. I didn't know there's a D2 in their production line until moments ago, after googled it up. So I was kinda confused in my previous post.

Btw, I think khaiyuen is trying to find out how's the performance or improvement that D2+ will bring to AegoM, since he plans to get one.

Actually I'm still wondering how big is the improvement for the performance of speakers after using these DACs. I've tried my DAC with my speaker, S530D, but still I couldn't hear much difference. I can hear the big difference with my headphones though.

Oh man, just not long after I bought D6 for its DAC, CEntrance releases their new product. DACport LX, which is pure DAC without the intergrated amp.
Link is here : DACport LX Review

Actually I've been wondering whether the new GoVibe Mini USB DAC is the same as GoVibe USB DAC? I mean the chip inside and the performance as well. But the price differ by RM100.

Anyone?

Maybe u can try T-muso USB DAC PCM2704 v2.

Or GoVibe Mini USB DAC for RM150.

Because T-muso DAC is naked, without casing so it's not meant for bringing here and there. Well, u can put it in any candy box with the right size though.

Whereas GoVibe Mini USB DAC has a casing protecting the components inside.

Yah, we are talking about the new GoVibe Mini USB DAC which costs RM150. Actually I'm also kinda interested to know more about the spec of this tiny DAC.

Tbh, I think ur sound card is quite good already.
If u are going to use it more on music listening than playing games, then yes I think u should get a decent DAC for music.

Can I assume that La Figaro also has the similar sound signature of Darkvoice? >.<

Really feel like getting one but can't find elaborated review anywhere.

Any Hifiman EF5 user here? Kinda interested on how it sounds. =]

Have not listened to the DAC, it's using PCM2702.

Found a review by Headphonia.

Again, how is the DZero sound? I never tried it before.

I have an Indeed MKII. Hehe... Mine one is quite a bass boost but the treble is too much for me.

Errmm.. Sorry to say, but I don't think desktop pure DAC will cost less than RM500.

Take it slow bro. U don't have to rush in upgrading/completing ur setup.

Btw, I'm kinda wondering how does GoVibe DAC Box sound like? It's a rather new model?